New Releases

From the Office of the Governor
State of North Carolina

April 29, 2007

GOV. EASLEY APPOINTS PITCHFORD TO ADVISORY COMMISSION ON MILITARY AFFAIRS

Raleigh - Gov. Mike Easley has appointed Judy Pitchford of Jacksonville to the North Carolina Commission on Military Affairs.

Pitchford is president of United Service Organizations (USO) of North Carolina. She is a member of the Military Affairs Committee of the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce and the USO Affiliates Council Executive Committee. Pitchford received the Meritorious Service Medal in 2000, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal in 1996, the Navy Commendation Medal in 1996 and was named Joint Services Woman of the Year in 1996. She is a graduate of Thorton Fractional South High School in Lansing, Ill.

The commission advises the governor and the secretary of the N. C. Department of Commerce on ways to strengthen the state's relationship with the military. The commission also strives to protect military installations from downsizing and develops a strategic plan to provide initiatives to support long-term viability and prosperity in the military. The commission has 30 members, each serving a two-year term. The governor appoints 15 members. The Senate President Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House each appoint three members. The secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety, secretary of Commerce, commanding general of the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, commanding general of the Marine Corps Base at Camp Lejeune, commanding general of the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, commander of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, commander of the 43rd Airlift Wing at Pope Air Force Base, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Support Center at Elizabeth City and the adjutant general of the N.C. National Guard also serve on the commission.